CSJ Boys Camp 2016 - "Whatever You Do"

Two weeks ago today, I waved goodbye to my hubs and two oldest sons (and two nephews who rode with) as they drove away for a campout with the Community of St. John.  With a few tears in my eyes.  When you are married and completely one in your marriage, a parting such as this is hard.  But so worth it, because of the amazing opportunity that comes with it.

So what is Boys Camp and what do they do?

**CAMP**

**LEARNING TIME**

(Look at that cutie in the top left!!  Can I admit how my heart skipped a beat EVERY time I saw him in the video - see below....)

**GAMES/SWIMMING/ACTIVITIES**

**FIELD TRIP**

**SKITS**

**WORK**

(father of 8 - soon to be 9 - has the gift of delegation down perfectly.  Don't you love his pointed finger in giving direction?!)

**PRAYER/ADORATION/MASS**

Here's this year's video of pictures from the camp....
(which some of the pictures from above were taken from it, so I apologize for any blurriness)

++Thank you, God, for the Community of St. John for leading this wonderful camp every summer for our boys and giving the boys such a beautiful experience on what living their Catholic faith is like. Thank you for your Body of Christ, living and present and shining so brightly on retreats like this!!++

CSJ Boys Camp - "Love one another"

I have three boys, well two boys and one big boy (hubby), who have been recovering the last couple days from an exhausting, spiritually overwhelming and inspiring four night camp with the Community of St. John.  This is THE highlight of their summer and I'm so grateful to have such a loving, generous husband who has taken vacation days the last four years to take part in and help lead this great opportunity for our boys.  Gotta love a daddy that is as involved as he is - I am one blessed gal!!

This year's theme was "Love One Another".  Last year's theme was "Go and Make Disciples".  Here's the t-shirt design that my husband helped create and order for the boys....     (good job, babe!!)

One thing I look forward to every year is watching the camp video, because I get to see all the fun the boys had during the camp-out.  You can see that it involves many fun outdoorsy activities (sports games, swimming, treasure hunt....), but also many great faith-filled opportunities as well (confession, Mass adoration, Marian procession....).

Another added fun element from this year's campout was a couple of the young adult helpers and some boys posed as pirates and snuck up on the larger group of boys while they were out swimming at the lake.  I had tears in my eyes, I was laughing so hard at times!!  With goofey adventures like this, it's no wonder the boys LOVE this camp....

++Thank you, God, for the Community of St. John for leading this wonderful camp every summer for our boys and giving the boys such a beautiful experience on what living their Catholic faith is like. Thank you for your Body of Christ, living and present and shining so brightly on retreats like this!!++

Boys Camp - "Go and make disciples"

The Community of St John led yet another amazing boys camp this past weekend.  Neil helped organize and chaperone it and our two oldest sons were blessed enough to participate in it.  A wonderful time was had by all!! 

They created a picture slideshow on YouTube of the weekend.  Click here to get to it.  (somehow I couldn't include on my page....)  It gives a great perspective of the great fun and faith they celebrated together! 

++Thank you God for the Brothers of St John and their generosity in reaching out to the community to share their great faith and love for You.  Thank you for all the boys, dads, chaperones, and helpers who helped make the weekend possible.  Please continue to lead them all closer to You.++